UNILAG wins 2025 Ecobank Chess tourney

After three days of intense opponents, the University of Lagos, on the weekend, obtained the 2025 Ecobank Nationwide Colleges Team of workers Chess Championships held in Lagos.

The championships were organised for predominant and secondary college students, moreover to tertiary institutions all the scheme in which via the nation. In the predominant college class, Jareb Personal College, Ogun Enlighten, Chess in Slums Africa, and Baptist Community of Colleges, Lagos Enlighten emerged winners, correct as Platform Colleges, Lagos Enlighten, Dayspring College, Ibadan, Oyo Enlighten, and Shima Academy Lagos Enlighten obtained within the secondary colleges.

The University of Lagos obtained with 18 MP3 within the tertiary institution’s class, and went home with N1 million, while Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka done 2d with 15 MP3 and grabbed the N500,000 prize cash, correct as Obafemi Awolowo University used to be third with 14 MP3 to steal the N325,000 prize cash.

The supreme performers on every board all the scheme in which via all three categories also obtained particular person awards. In total, 90 medals, 9 championship trophies, and hundreds of certificates were awarded to the participants.

Talking on the occasion, the Executive Director of Ecobank, Olawole Olusanya, acknowledged except for the actual person awards, the honest reward used to be within the command and self belief the childhood took encourage from the championships.

“I started playing chess in 1973,” Olusanya acknowledged. “Chess is an education instrument, and it is some distance a nation’s game. One of the foundations says ‘Mediate sooner than you touch. In various words, the game of chess requires attention, which is key within the education of childhood.”

On his segment, Ecobank’s Executive Director of Industrial/Consumer Banking, Kola Adeleke, described chess as a “declare-solving skill,” including that students who participated within the championships gained quite a bit.

The Vice President of Nigeria Chess Federation, Prince Adeyinka Adewole acknowledged that this yr’s championship used to be segment of an effort to develop Nigeria’s global footprint in chess.

“We efficiently assigned FIDE identification numbers to over 1,600 students, an initiative fully managed by the Nigeria Chess Federation as a member of FIDE,” he acknowledged.

He added: “Among the many many touching moments of this championship used to be the participation of Chess in Slums Africa all the scheme in which via all three categories and ending sturdy, proving over again that skill can thrive wherever when given an opportunity.

“We also rejoice Bethesda College for the Blind, who didn't highest participate within the Secondary Class but also obtained games — and our hearts. Let’s now not forget the Air Force Secondary Colleges and others who represented Nigeria’s team spirit in range.

“We were also graced by the unwavering presence of Mr. Tunde Onakoya, who now not highest attended on Day 1, but stayed all the scheme in which via the match, mentoring, supporting, and enthralling students daily. His presence reminds us all of the vitality of consistency, visibility, and like for the game.”

A total of 990 predominant college childhood from 198 colleges, 680 students from 136 secondary colleges, and 160 students from 32 bigger institutions took segment on this yr’s championships. In total, 1,830 students from 366 Colleges participated in opposition to 1210 students from 242 colleges in 2024.

The sum of N20 million used to be shared with the winners this yr as in opposition to N16 million final yr.